Rain Could Affect Picks

If the $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap, a Grade II scheduled for 1 1/8 miles on turf, is moved to the main track because of rain, Badge Of Silver and Choctaw Nation become the horses to beat.

The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $117,725.

Trained by Bobby Frankel, Badge Of Silver, a 6-year-old Silver Deputy horse, looms the controlling speed on dirt and an unknown on grass.

In a career in which he has won six of 13 and earned nearly $681,000, Badge Of Silver has never raced on the turf. Patrick Valenzuela will ride the dark bay, who finished eighth as the 2-1 favorite in the Cigar Mile on Nov. 26 at Aqueduct.

Trained by Jeff Mullins, Choctaw Nation has won three times on the Santa Anita main track but has yet to try the grass. Victor Espinoza will ride the 6-year-old Louis Quatorze gelding, who has been idle since finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park.

In Santa Anita’s first graded stakes of 2006, Rhythm Mad, Whilly and Atlando are the proven commodities on the turf.

Race of the day: Quick Temper, who has won five of 13 racing in Louisiana, Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia and Canada, will make her California bow in the $75,000 Bay Meadows Cotillon Handicap today. Roberto Gonzalez will ride the 5-year-old A.P. Indy mare in the 1 1/16 -mile race that attracted five other mares -- Secret Corsage, Sparkling Humor, First Draft, Vencedora Amiga and Strut Your Stuff.

One for the road: Fast Laner is on top of her game and can make it three wins in a row in the $65,000 Interborough Handicap today at Aqueduct. Apprentice Kyle Kaenel will ride the 5-year-old Mutakddim mare in the six-furlong race. Fast Laner should be a legit price in a race where Bank Audit will be favored.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Family Guy in the seventh, Atlando, Whilly and Badge Of Silver in the eighth and Purplenme, Lazer Park and Lucky Emily in the ninth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/13. Money: (previous day/meet total): $21.20/$85.20. Total money bet: $84.